Most ppl here are well aware of my feelings on the future if golf and water and courses being built in deserts. I have what many would call a “doom and gloom” outlook on golf. I love the turfgrass and golf industry with all my heart, but many decisions were made long ago without the thought of the future consequences.
Water development in the west (a desert), which lead to city development (Phoenix et al) and later golf development, is perceived by many as the greatest achievement in American history. The trend in water shortages, increased temperatures and decreased rainfall, historical ecology of deserts, and population growth in these states suggest that water development in deserts may be Americas biggest folly.
Golf, imho is in big trouble. We may not see it any any of our lifetimes, but inevitably it will be bankrupt in desert climates.
Idk the answer to stop the bleeding other than quit building golf courses in deserts. It is a very complex issue that will require far more than one solution. No more overseeding is a good first step, but that’s honestly just just a band aid on top of a band aid.
This is not sustainable anyway you may want to frame it. When the rubber meets the road and hard decisions need to made, golf is first on the chopping block. Courses east of the Miss River look to be free and clear at the moment, but moving west is another story.